Noah Lyles Sends Warning to Letsile Tebogo and Co with Sub-20 Season Opener in Florida

Noah Lyles and McKenzie Long set the pace in the 200-meter events at the 2026 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, posting the fastest times in their respective fields on Friday, April 17.

American track star Noah Lyles impressively launched his outdoor season, clocking the top time across six ‘Olympic development’ heats in the men's 200m.

The reigning Paris 2024 Olympic 100m gold medallist, who recently married, recorded a swift 19.91 seconds in his heat.

Noah Lyles edged out Max Thomas, a 2025 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships finalist, who finished with a time of 19.98 seconds.

This performance marked a significant improvement for the four-time world 200m champion, who shaved a quarter of a second off his time from the same event in 2023, the last time he competed in a 200m race this early in the season.

The event also highlighted emerging talent, with teenage sensation Tate Taylor running the third-fastest time of the day at 20.05 seconds.

Taylor's time surpassed Lyles' own high school record, signalling a new wave of competition for the 28-year-old champion.

Rounding out the top five were international athletes Cheickna Traore of Cote d’Ivoire (20.14) and Maka Charamba of Zimbabwe (20.28), showcasing the global depth of the field.

In the women's 200m "Olympic development" heats, McKenzie Long, a 2025 World Athletics Championships finalist, delivered the day's fastest time.

Long crossed the finish line in 22.42 seconds, holding off a strong challenge from high school standout Mariah Maxwell, who finished just behind at 22.44 seconds. Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili secured third with a time of 22.46 seconds.

The women's event also featured decorated athletes, including two-time 400m Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who placed sixth with a time of 22.64 seconds. Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith finished in the top ten, clocking 23.03 seconds.

The action from Gainesville, Florida, continues on Saturday, April 18, with the men's and women's "Olympic development" 100m and 400m events scheduled.

Men’s 200m Olympic Development

Noah Lyles – 19.91

Max Thomas – 19.98

Tate Taylor – 20.05

Women’s 200m Olympic Development

McKenzie Long – 22.42s

Maria Maxwell – 22.44s

Favour Ofili – 22.46s

Women’s 200m

1st – Celeste Robinson – 23.21s

2nd – Briana Campbell – 23.30s

3rd – Abigail Wolfe – 23.38s

Men’s Hammer Throw

1st – Aidan Ifkovits – 66.00

2nd – Juha Narhi – 64.57

3rd – John Leonard – 62.84

Men’s 200m

Sean Watkins – 20.88

David Akhalu – 20.94

John Rutledge – 20.94

Women’s 400m Hurdles

Tatum Lynn – 57.63s

Avery Clark – 58.13s

Marianna Wright – 58.25s

Women’s Heptathlon Long Jump

Meagan Humphries – 6.27

Eva Bruce – 5.86

JaiCieonna Gero-Holt – 5.81

Men’s 400m Hurdles

Jevon Williams – 49.99

Damon Frabotta – 50.91

John Colquitt – 51.17

Women’s Long Jump Invite

Lex Brown – 7.07

Anthaya Charlton – 6.83

Sophia Beckmon – 6.79

Men’s High Jump Invite

Brion Stephens – 2.18

Jonathan Kapitolnik – 2.15

Khalil Antoine – 2.15

Men’s Pole Vault

Grant Harrison – 5.15

Parker Brannon – 5.15

Gator Young – 5.05

Women’s Hammer Throw

Kendra Dye – 61.95

Norah Lind – 61.89

Meagan Ewers – 57.65

Women’s Heptathlon Javelin Throw

Pauline Bikembo – 43.79

JaiCieonna gero-Holt – 39.56

Paige Laffoon – 34.68

Men’s Long Jump Invite

Jeremiah Davis – 8.08

Charles Godfred – 8.08

Jordan Turner – 8.08

Men’s Javelin Throw

Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi – 84.68

Jack Larriviere – 78.66

Leikel Cabrera Gay – 75.78

Women’s Heptathlon 800m

Danya Spoor – 2:10.82

Eden Robinson – 2:14.69

Meagan Humphries – 2:14.93

Women’s 200m Invite

Yahnari Lyons – 22.34

Shawnti Jackson – 22.35

Gabrielle Matthews – 22.41

Women’s Long Jump

Tristen Harris – 6.34

Ava Kitchings – 6.32

Asia Phillips – 6.26

Men’s High Jump

Brandon Pottinger – 2.12

Randall Pompey – 2.09

Lee Martin – 2.09

Women’s Javelin Throw

Eleanor Partrick – 54.95

Irene Jepkemboi – 52.26

Katelyn Fairchild – 51.65

Men’s Pole Vault Invite

Ismaila Sawaneh – 5.70

Cade Gray – 5.50

Sam Abati – 5.50

Men’s 200m Invite

Isreal Okon – 20.27

Traunard Folson – 20.36

Denzel Simusialela – 20.36

Women’s 400m Hurdles Invite

Akala Garrett – 54.46

Fatoumata Binta Diallo – 54.88

Amelia Birdow – 54.96

Men’s 400m Hurdles Invite

Trevor Bassitt – 47.82

Ja’qualon Scott – 48.22

Gerald Drummond – 49.39

Men’s Shot Put Invite

Roury McCloyen – 19.61

Michael Pinones – 19.58

Jarno Van Daalen – 19.51

Men’s Long Jump

Daramola Ibukun – 7.58

2. Sebastian Berntsen – 7.52

3. Maxwell Forte – 7.48

Men’s 3000m Steeplechase

Kaden Levings – 8:55.22

Zach Troutman – 9:14.55

Giancarlo Baez – 9:53.84

Women’s Shot Put Invite

Lloydrecia Cameron – 18.67

Jessica Oji – 18.31

Megan Hague – 18.22

Women’s 1500m

1. Georgia Scott – 4:09.85

2. Bieke Schipperen – 4:14.12

3. Leah Taylor – 4:18.52

Men’s 1500m

Mohammed Kowa – 3:43.28

Ryan Adams – 3:45.19

Victor Ndiwa – 3:47.33